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Latest KFF Health News Stories

Thune Says Health Care Often ‘Comes With a Job.’ The Reality’s Not Simple or Straightforward.

KFF Health News Original

Sixty percent of Americans have health insurance through their own workplace or someone else’s job. But not all employers provide health insurance or offer plans to all their workers. When they do, cost and quality vary widely, making Thune’s statement an oversimplification.

At Some Federal Beaches, Surf’s Up but the Lifeguard Chair’s Empty

KFF Health News Original

Some of the nation’s most well-known beaches are managed by the National Park Service, which saw about 1,000 employees laid off in February by the quasi-agency Department of Government Efficiency, then led by Elon Musk. The void has become a serious public health and safety concern.

California’s Much-Touted IVF Law May Be Delayed Until 2026, Leaving Many in the Lurch

KFF Health News Original

California lawmakers are poised to approve a six-month delay in implementing the state’s in vitro fertilization law, pushing its start to January 2026. The plan to postpone, which has drawn little attention, is part of the state budget package and has left patients, insurers, and employers in limbo.

5 Takeaways From Health Insurers’ New Pledge To Improve Prior Authorization

KFF Health News Original

Dozens of health insurance companies pledged on Monday to improve prior authorization, a process often used to deny care. The announcement comes months after the killing of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson, whose death in December sparked widespread criticism about insurance denials.

Push To Move OB-GYN Exam Out of Texas Is Piece of AGs’ Broader Reproductive Rights Campaign

KFF Health News Original

Following a petition from Democratic state attorneys general, the American Medical Association adopted a position that medical certification exams should not be required in person in states with restrictive abortion policies. The action’s success was hailed as a win for Democrats trying to regain ground after the fall of Roe.

Federal Proposals Threaten Provider Taxes, Key Source of Medicaid Funding for States

KFF Health News Original

Republican proposals to tighten the use of special taxes to fund Medicaid programs could deprive states of billions of dollars for safety net health care. In California, any such limit would come on top of Medicaid cuts proposed by California Democrats in response to a $12 billion state deficit.

Living Without Health Insurance? We Want To Hear From You 

KFF Health News Original

KFF Health News is documenting this moment, the first explicit rollback of health coverage since the advent of the modern U.S. health system in the early 20th century, and we want to hear from you.

Trump Team’s Reworking Delays Billions in Broadband Build-Out

KFF Health News Original

A Trump administration reworking of a $42 billion broadband expansion program will trigger delays as millions of rural Americans wait for promised connections and the telehealth services they bring.

Q&A: What Does the Budget Bill Mean for Your Health? 

KFF Health News Original

KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner answers listeners’ questions about how the “One Big Beautiful Bill” could affect health care in Washington, D.C., and beyond.